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The first sign that Christmas had come early for some came in the middle of last week when dozens of politicians were overheard exchanging season’s greetings and shouting to each other: ‘See you in the New Year.’

When The Mail on Sunday reminded MPs that the holiday would begin only on Tuesday, Tory and Labour backbenchers gave the game away by revealing they were not under strict orders to show their faces this week.

One senior Tory MP said: ‘Both we and Labour are on a one-line-whip from party managers.

'In other words, that’s a “turn up if you have specific duties” request but otherwise, have a great break and see you next year.’

He added: ‘It’s Defence questions on Monday so the relevant Ministers and frontbench Opposition spokesmen will have to show up, but I wouldn’t bank on a full house for the debate on apprenticeships which follows. It’s likely to have a very sparse turnout.’

Another MP said: ‘Most people won’t come back unless they have receptions and dinners to attend with a seasonal flavour.’

However, Liberal Democrat MPs were last night complaining privately that they had drawn the short straw.

Matthew Sinclair of the Taxpayers Alliance said MPs risk looking 'out of touch'

As Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is scheduled to have his regular session of Commons questions on Tuesday, Lib Dems said they were under huge pressure to be at Westminster.

‘As bad luck would have it, we’re under orders to return,’ said one. ‘Our whips have been ringing to pressure us to come back for it.

‘It’s a bit galling when you think that last week Nick Clegg deliberately didn’t show up for David Cameron’s statement on the veto on the EU treaty.’

Last night, MPs already on holiday were criticised by the TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign group.

Director Matthew Sinclair said: ‘Everybody needs a break but MPs have already awarded themselves a number of bonus holidays this year so they risk looking out of touch by sloping off early at Christmas.

‘Some politicians might use this extra time to work in their constituencies but many won’t be seen again until well into the New Year.’

owever, one MP hit back, saying: ‘There will be plenty of us at Westminster this week. And just because some of us aren’t in the Commons doesn’t mean we’re on holiday.